Clean house and drop off drugs

Law enforcement and Bartell Drugs plan to participate in National Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, to allow people to get rid of unused, expired and unwanted medicine.

The concern is unintentional poisonings from people ingesting expired pills and other medicine. According to the Snohomish Health District, unintentional poisonings are at a record high in Snohomish County. Just two years ago, 150 people were poisoned from prescription medicine, more than triple the 46 reported in 2000.

“Unintentional poisonings frequently involve prescription drugs,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer and director of the Snohomish Health District, in a news release. “They not only harm people but improperly discarded drugs can also harm the environment when they enter septic systems and household trash.”

Only law enforcement locations can accept controlled substances, such as Ativan and OxyContin. Leave all items in their original containers.

Police departments in the county have drop-boxes available from Monday to Friday year-round.